LIFE AT A TRAFFIC JAM

LIFE AT A TRAFFIC JAM
There are a whole lot of things going on at the signal, if you haven’t noticed
MAHALAKSHMI PRABHAKARAN


Reams and reams have been written about it and every Bangalorean, irrespective of their background, has vented his or her two bits about the sore status of traffic jams to any and every willing ear. You have done it too. So have we. Over the years, it’s continued to stay with us, like that niggling irritant in our eye that just doesn’t go away no matter how hard you rub it. So much so that nowadays all that we do is fret and crack jokes about it.
Activists and aware citizens are doing their bit to ease the congestion and ideas like carpooling, cycling and walking are being discussed. But even as serious thought is put into easing away the jams, one can’t help interrupt and talk about the fun side of being caught in a jam or a busy signal. Fun side? Are you mad, you may ask. Well, there is a fun to even a traffic jam. Here are some examples:
SIGNAL GAPING
It’s a gaper’s delight. Your vehicle has come to halt, so what? Instead of sternly gazing at the signal and worrying about the fact that you are late,stop and look around. You will be amused by the sights the road has to offer. Pedestrians ambling, clamourings of a bunch of excited school children who might break into a smile if they catch your eye, beggars doing their rounds and trying to catch attention and the best of it all...watch that cow sitting bang in the middle of the road doing her own thing without a care in the world. How can one enjoy it when the mind is at that meeting you are late for, you ask? We say, it takes a bit of practice but it sure is worth the effort. And if you do end up late for that meeting or date, you already have an excuse that works like magic in this city... Sorry, got caught in the traffic jam!
SHOW STOPPERS
If the customer doesn’t come to you, you go to him. That’s the street-savvy formula peddlers seem to have cracked. So, right from ear buds, key chains, facial tissues to sun glasses and the latest glossies, you have it all served up right at your 4-wheeler or auto or bike. And if you have noticed, the products sold at the signal are very seasonal. Santa caps during Christmas and heartshaped balloons and key chains during Valentine’s Day - the traffic signal is sure heating up as the next best bazaar to sell goodies. Hmm, we wouldn’t be surprised if some smart aleck hit upon the idea to sell some steaming bhajjis or bondas to the crowd-in-waiting.
NEWS HOUNDS
Don’t know about all, but autowallahs (a few at least, as far as we have noticed) use the traffic jam to keep themselves updated about the daily goings-on. No, the road signals have not set up TVs. It’s just that the more curious among the breed have their newspapers handy. Come a traffic jam, and before you know it, he’s unfurled the paper and reading from where he left off. It’s nice the way they do it: Sight traffic signal, pull auto to a slow stop, and even as it comes to a stop unfurl paper and read. Look up once in a while to see how much time is left before the red signal changes to green. Drive and repeat the same process at the next signal. Maybe this is what they mean by time management. If you are fretting about not getting time to read the dailies, guess it wouldn’t be a bad idea to ape our resourceful auto rickshaw wallahs, what say?
JAMMING UP
Jamming everyone together. Traffic jams definitely are Bangalore’s Fevicol, getting everyone from a Page 3 socialite, an IT hotshot to a college student and a housemaid on the same side of the warpath. One, it is the one common grouse that will have all of them seeing eye to eye, sympathising with each other and wondering if it will be solved at all. Second, at a traffic signal, all kinds of distinctions come to a standstill. So no matter how rich or poor you are, everyone waits for the green signal. It is indeed a great equaliser.
Meditate, enjoy the views around you and try seeing the people behind the mass of faces the next time you are at a traffic jam. Taking a break takes on a whole new meaning and life does not seem that hurried, after that.
I LOVE BANGALORE BECAUSE ...

I love Bangalore because it offers a lot of opportunities for the new comers as well as the established. Bangalore has helped me gain my identity. I feel proud to be a Bangalorean and I salute the city
— ARIJEET ROY,
SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, ORACLE


I love Bangalore for the high spirits of its people. The city has its own set of problems, but that does not stop us from giving our best against the odds. And that's what a true Bangalorean is all about. We love you Bangalore
—RAKSHITH N,
ENGINEER, ADOBE SYSTEMS


The best thing about Bangalore is that the people here are not judgmental and you can go wherever you want with whoever you want without raising eyebrows. The pubs, coffee houses and other hangouts in the city are the best
— DILRAZ A R KUNNUMAL, JOURNALISM STUDENT